1799/8 1C, BN N1BN Certification #28731897, PCGS #1446

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Charles Morgan

The 1799 Draped Bust Cent comprises three known varieties, two of which are recognized in the "Red Book": the 1799/8 (S-188, PCGS #1446) and the 1799 "Normal Date" (S-189, PCGS #1443). The third variety, (NC-1), is prohibitvely rare; it utilized the same S-188 overdate obverse but is paired with a different reverse.

The Growing Pains of an American Money Factory

A close examination of the S-188 1799/8 overdate and its reverse die reveals the logistical struggles of the early United States Mint. Operating a "money factory" with fragile, rudimentary equipment and a lack of die steel, Mint officials were frequently forced to make do with the dies they had on hand, even if they were damaged, or for a previous year. In fact, the majority of cents produced in 1799 actually bear the 1798 date. In the specific case of the 1799/8, the Mint salvaged a leftover 1798 obverse die and punched a "9" over the final digit.

This diagnostic feature is plainly visible under magnification (or via a high-resolution PCGS TrueView™ image). On the 1799/8, the lower bowl of the underlying "8" is clearly visible within the gap between the bowl of the "9" and its ball terminal.

Variety Diagnostics: 1799/8 Draped Bust Cent (S-188)

Obverse: Overdated 9 over 8. In later die states (these are rare), a prominent die crack develops through the letters ERTY of LIBERTY.
Reverse: Shared with 1798 S-186 (PCGS #36125). Two leaf clusters- one above the E and one beside the ME of AMERICA- do not touch the stem. Interstingly, the 1798-dated coins (S-186) were struck later than the 1799/8 variety. This is evidenced by a heavy die crack that originates on the reverse at the 6 o'clock rim and runs diagonally through the lower right toward the rim above M of AMERICA. This advanced crack is present on all S-186 examples, yet only appears on a small number of known late-die-state 1799/8 (S-188) coins.

Survival Rates

Of the two major 1799 Draped Bust Cent varieties, but the 1799/8 is the scarcer of the two, with most known examples grading no finer than Very Fine. To date, no Mint State examples are known, but the Mickley-Ellsworth-High Desert specimen comes tantalizingly close at PCGS AU58BN.

* * *

David Hall

The PCGS graded AU58 is the finest known specimen of this rare date by far. The 1799/8 is a rare coin in any grade and a super rarity in higher grades.

PCGS #

1446

Designer

Robert Scot

Edge

Plain

Diameter

28.00 millimeters

Weight

10.89 grams

Mintage

42540

Metal

Copper

Pop Higher

Pop Lower

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	200	R-7.0	5 / 40 TIE	5 / 40 TIE
All Grades	0	R-10.1	1 / 40	1 / 40
60 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 40	1 / 40

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	200
All Grades	0
60 or Better	0

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-7.0
All Grades	R-10.1
60 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	5 / 40 TIE
All Grades	1 / 40
60 or Better	1 / 40

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	5 / 40 TIE
All Grades	1 / 40
60 or Better	1 / 40

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	PCGS AU58	Joseph Mickley; Colonel S. Ellsworth; "The High Desert Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).
2	PCGS AU53
3	PCGS XF45	E.F. Kuithan; “The E.F. Kuithan, Esq. Collection,” Ed. Frossard, June 1883, Lot 255; T. Harrison Garrett Collection, via George Massamore; Robert and John Work Garrett, by descent, 1888; Robert Garrett interest to John Work Garrett, 1919; transfer completed, 1921; John Work Garrett to The Johns Hopkins University, by gift, 1942; “The Garrett Collection, Part I,” Bowers and Ruddy, November 1979, Lot 92 – $4,200; Denis W. Loring; Norman W. Pullen, by sale, March 1980; George Cores Collection, by sale, April 1981; Thomas D. Reynolds; Denis W. Loring, by sale, July 1993, via Robert W. Everett; Allan Kollar Collection, by sale, October 1994; Superior Galleries and McCawley/ Grellman, May 2005, Lot 1020; Daniel W. Holmes, Jr.; “The Dan Holmes Collection, Part I,” Ira and Larry Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, September 2009, Lot 349; D. Brent Pogue Family. As PCGS XF45 #32219413. Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, March 31, 2017, Lot 5111 – $164,500; Dell Loy Hansen; "The D.L. Hansen Half Cents & Cents / Major Varieties and Proof (1793-Present) Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).
4	PCGS XF40	Lyman H. Low, June 1897, Lot 656 - $225; "The George W. Rice Collection," St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co., April 13, 1906, Lot 1006 - $220; Henry C. Hines, 1945; Dr. William H. Sheldon; Sheraton Coin Co., "The 1947 ANA Convention Auction," Numismatic Gallery, August 23, 1947, Lot 850 - $500; Harold E. Whiteneck; Dr. James O. Sloss, September 1958; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., Abe Kosoff, October 21, 1959, Lot 47 - $3500; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; Robert Gildred; C. Douglas Smith; Denis W. Loring; Robert R. Shaw; J.J. Teaparty; Bertram Cohen; "The J. R. Frankenfield Collection," McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior, February 17, 2001, Lot 443 - $39,100; unknown intermediaries; High Desert Collection; Colonel Steven K. Ellsworth, in trade for the finest known example of the S-188, December 2004. As PCGS XF40 #26401319. "The Col. Steven Ellsworth Collection of U.S. Large Cents, 1796-1814," Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2025, Lot 2110 - $150,000.
4	PCGS XF40	Dr. George P. French; B. Max Mehl 1929 Fixed Price List, Lot 232; Henry A. Sternberg, August 1930; T. James Clarke, 1944; B. Max Mehl; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; "1958 ANA Convention Auction," Abe Kosoff, August 1958, Lot 518; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; "The James O. Sloss Collection," Abe Kosoff, October 1959, Lot 49; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; "The Admiral Bitler Collection," A-Mark Coin Co., March 1973, Lot 136; Abe Kosoff; Mike Kliman, August 8, 1983; "The Douglas F. Bird Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, February 2020, Lot 65. As PCGS XF40 #41069316. Heritage Auctions, January 14, 2022, Lot 4570 - $117,000. As PCGS XF40 #53980378.

#1 PCGS AU58

Joseph Mickley; Colonel S. Ellsworth; "The High Desert Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).

#2 PCGS AU53

#3 PCGS XF45

E.F. Kuithan; “The E.F. Kuithan, Esq. Collection,” Ed. Frossard, June 1883, Lot 255; T. Harrison Garrett Collection, via George Massamore; Robert and John Work Garrett, by descent, 1888; Robert Garrett interest to John Work Garrett, 1919; transfer completed, 1921; John Work Garrett to The Johns Hopkins University, by gift, 1942; “The Garrett Collection, Part I,” Bowers and Ruddy, November 1979, Lot 92 – $4,200; Denis W. Loring; Norman W. Pullen, by sale, March 1980; George Cores Collection, by sale, April 1981; Thomas D. Reynolds; Denis W. Loring, by sale, July 1993, via Robert W. Everett; Allan Kollar Collection, by sale, October 1994; Superior Galleries and McCawley/ Grellman, May 2005, Lot 1020; Daniel W. Holmes, Jr.; “The Dan Holmes Collection, Part I,” Ira and Larry Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, September 2009, Lot 349; D. Brent Pogue Family. As PCGS XF45 #32219413. Stack’s Bowers / Sotheby’s, March 31, 2017, Lot 5111 – $164,500; Dell Loy Hansen; "The D.L. Hansen Half Cents & Cents / Major Varieties and Proof (1793-Present) Collection" (PCGS Set Registry).

#4 PCGS XF40

Lyman H. Low, June 1897, Lot 656 - $225; "The George W. Rice Collection," St. Louis Stamp & Coin Co., April 13, 1906, Lot 1006 - $220; Henry C. Hines, 1945; Dr. William H. Sheldon; Sheraton Coin Co., "The 1947 ANA Convention Auction," Numismatic Gallery, August 23, 1947, Lot 850 - $500; Harold E. Whiteneck; Dr. James O. Sloss, September 1958; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr., Abe Kosoff, October 21, 1959, Lot 47 - $3500; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; Robert Gildred; C. Douglas Smith; Denis W. Loring; Robert R. Shaw; J.J. Teaparty; Bertram Cohen; "The J. R. Frankenfield Collection," McCawley & Grellman Auctions/Superior, February 17, 2001, Lot 443 - $39,100; unknown intermediaries; High Desert Collection; Colonel Steven K. Ellsworth, in trade for the finest known example of the S-188, December 2004. As PCGS XF40 #26401319. "The Col. Steven Ellsworth Collection of U.S. Large Cents, 1796-1814," Heritage Auctions, January 9, 2025, Lot 2110 - $150,000.

#4 PCGS XF40

Dr. George P. French; B. Max Mehl 1929 Fixed Price List, Lot 232; Henry A. Sternberg, August 1930; T. James Clarke, 1944; B. Max Mehl; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; "1958 ANA Convention Auction," Abe Kosoff, August 1958, Lot 518; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; "The James O. Sloss Collection," Abe Kosoff, October 1959, Lot 49; R.E. "Ted" Naftzger, Jr.; "The Admiral Bitler Collection," A-Mark Coin Co., March 1973, Lot 136; Abe Kosoff; Mike Kliman, August 8, 1983; "The Douglas F. Bird Collection," Goldberg Auctioneers, February 2020, Lot 65. As PCGS XF40 #41069316. Heritage Auctions, January 14, 2022, Lot 4570 - $117,000. As PCGS XF40 #53980378.